30+ NEW features coming to Unity 6/6.1/7 SOON!

Summary

Unity's Unite 2024 conference unveiled exciting features for the Unity game engine, including a new version launching on October 17th, enhancing stability and reducing CPU workload by 50%. Key highlights include refined multiplayer tools, new rendering capabilities, and improved AI integration. Future updates promise support for larger mobile screens, optimized mesh LOD systems, and an enhanced animation workflow. Unity aims to simplify development with individual assembly reloads and background content pipeline tasks. The long-term vision includes a unified renderer and the latest .NET technology, signaling a robust roadmap for developers eager to innovate with Unity.

Takeaways

• 🚀 Unity's upcoming version will launch on October 17th, introducing significant stability and performance improvements, with a CPU workload reduction of up to 50%.
• 🆓 The new version allows developers to remove the splash screen for free, enhancing customization options.
• 🎮 New rendering capabilities include a render graph, improved light baking architecture, and occlusion culling to reduce rendering overdraw.
• 🛠️ The multiplayer tools are being refined with a new multiplayer center tool to simplify networking solutions and setup processes.
• 🏆 The Unity Awards nominees have been announced, celebrating outstanding games, asset developers, and content creators.
• 🌐 Unity's web export feature has improved, with reduced load times thanks to a new web GPU experimental export option.
• 🤖 New Muse AI features are integrated into the editor, allowing developers to run scripts and add game object references easily.
• 📱 Future updates will focus on supporting larger mobile screens, a new mesh LOD system, and improved XR development tools.
• 🖼️ The next generation of Unity aims for simplicity, speed, and performance, combining the strengths of different render pipelines into a unified renderer.
• 🔄 Improvements to the content pipeline will allow background tasks like graphic imports and prefab saving without blocking the editor.

Q & A

What major announcement was made regarding the upcoming version of Unity?

The upcoming version of Unity will launch on October 17, 2024, and will introduce significant performance improvements, including a reduction in CPU workload by up to 50% and the option to remove the splash screen for free.

What new rendering capabilities are included in Unity 6?

Unity 6 will feature a render graph, a new light baking architecture, and occlusion culling to reduce overdraw in rendering.

What multiplayer tools are being introduced for newcomers?

Unity is launching a Multiplayer Center tool that suggests networking solutions and hosting models, alongside a built-in widget to simplify server connections and lobby setups.

How has Unity addressed the runtime fee policy?

Unity decided to drop its runtime fee policy and instead increase the Pro license seat price, which is viewed positively as a step towards regaining developers' trust.

What AI features were highlighted during the conference?

New AI features include Muse AI, which can automate scripts directly within the editor, and Muse Texture, which transforms normal textures into seamless ones.

What improvements have been made for exporting to the web?

Unity has significantly reduced load times for web exports with a new Web GPU experimental export option, enhancing browser-based game performance.

What changes are coming to Unity's development process in future versions?

Future versions of Unity will emphasize stability with less frequent updates, a transition to individual assembly reloads instead of full domain reloads, and improved background processing for asset imports.

What is the vision for Unity's future regarding rendering pipelines?

Unity plans to unify its rendering pipelines, combining the capabilities of the Universal Render Pipeline (URP) and the High Definition Render Pipeline (HDRP), while deprecating the built-in renderer.

What are the key features planned for Unity 6.1 and beyond?

Key features include support for foldable mobile screens, an improved mesh Level of Detail (LOD) system, and new multiplayer templates tailored for VR development.

How does Unity plan to enhance its content pipeline?

Unity aims to improve its content pipeline by enabling background processing of tasks like graphic imports and prefab saving, which will help keep the editor responsive.